Philly firefighter, 62, dies after training exercise injury

Lt. Benny Hutchins died Wednesday, two days after he was critically injured in a training exercise.

Philadelphia Fire Department

A 34-year veteran of the Philadelphia Fire Department died Wednesday at Aria Torresdale Hospital, two days after he was critically injured at the Fire Academy in Holmesburg.

Lt. Benny Hutchins, 62, who joined the Fire Department in 1984, was participating in a training exercise at the academy at 5200 Pennypack St. when he was injured, said Ed Marks, president of Local 22 firefighters' union. Marks said that he didn't know the details of the exercise, but that it was part of a survival training that 1,700 people have completed.

Hutchins served on several engine and ladder companies across the city since joining the department. He became a lieutenant in 2003 and since January had been assigned to Ladder 30 in Roxborough, the department said in a statement. He previously worked at Engine 64, where among notable duties he supervised Firefighter Joyce Craig-Lewis, who died battling a fire in 2014.

Mayor Kenney, whose father was a city firefighter, said he was saddened to hear of Hutchins' death.

"I am thankful for his outstanding service to our city during his 34-year career with the Philadelphia Fire Department. Firefighters are heroes who put their lives on the line every single day in service to others," the mayor said in a statement. "We must honor their sacrifice, especially the sacrifices of a veteran firefighter like Lt. Hutchins. I extend my sincerest condolences to his family. Please keep his loved ones in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time."